Phase pure SnS nanosheets were synthesized by a hot injection method from a new single molecular precursor (SMP), dibutyl-bis(piperidinedithiocarbamato)tin(iv) in oleylamine at 230 °C. The tin complex was characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetry and microelemental analysis. The complex is thermally stable up to 260 °C, after which it decomposes in a single step with a major mass loss between 260 °C and 300 °C. The thermolysis of the as-prepared precursor was carried out in oleylamine between 190 and 230 °C. The formation and shape evolution of SnS was investigated using high resolution electron microscopy. The mechanism of the time dependent growth of SnS from spherical particles into nanosheets is proposed. © The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.